A good humidifier will keep your throat from getting sore due to dry air, and it can also help with cold symptoms. But with so many models on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you, your baby, or your family.
To get you started, we’ve listed the five best humidifiers in Australia. We discuss the pros and cons of each model, and we’ve also included a buyer guide to help you make the right decision for your home.
1. Breville The Smart Mist Humidifier (Top Pick)
The Breville Smart Mist Humidifier can produce both warm and cool mist, so it’s ideal to use all year round. There is no fan, so it’s very quiet, and it has seven mist-levels and several pre-set modes, so operation is a breeze.
It also senses the humidity level in the air and can adjust it’s output automatically to keep the room at the ideal humidity level.
This is a great humidifier that has loads of features and is easy to use.
What We Like:
- Warm and cool mist
- Quiet
- Senses humidity levels in the air
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
2. Philips Air Humidifier with NanoCloud Technology
The Philips Air Humidifier is a great unit for a good price. Although it is an evaporative humidifier, the fan is very quiet and the unit hardly makes any noise at all.
It has an auto shut-off for when the water runs out, so there is no need to worry about safety, and the fine mist it produces is small enough that bacteria can’t latch on.
This is a simple design that works very effectively and spreads humidity evenly throughout a room. Well worth checking out.
What We Like:
- Quiet
- Auto shut-off
What We Don’t Like:
- Uses a fan so maybe noisier than ultrasonic models
3. Herilios Cool Mist Humidifier
This is an ultrasonic humidifier from TaoTronics. It is very quiet in operation and has a good water capacity so it can run for a long time. It also has auto shut-off in case the water runs out.
It has a built-in humidistat, which is very convenient because it monitors the humidity in the air and will shut off when it gets too high. It also includes a nightlight and sleep mode.
It cannot be used with essential oils or fragrances, which is unusual for an ultrasonic humidifier, but other than that, it is a great unit at a low price.
What We Like:
- Quiet
- Ultrasonic
- Built-in humidistat
- Affordable
What We Don’t Like:
- Can’t be used with essential oils
4. Beurer Air Humidifier with Aromatherapy
The Beurer Air Humidifier is designed to be used with essential oils and other fragrances to fill the room with their scent. This great feature means it doubles as an essential oil diffuser. This is a smaller unit that is mainly for use in a bedroom or living room.
It has auto shut-off if the water runs out and two output levels. One of the main features of this unit is the stylish design; it is definitely going to look good in your bedroom.
This humidifier is quiet and easy to use and should be near the top of your list if you’re looking for a small unit.
What We Like:
- Can use essential oils
- Quiet
What We Don’t Like:
- Small
5. INNObeta 3.0L Cool Mist Air Humidifier
This unit from INNObeta is a great budget humidifier. It is ultrasonic so there is no noisy fan, and the capacity is large enough to last all night.
It is fairly easy to clean, taking only minutes, and it is easy to use as well. It includes a remote control so you can turn it on and off from a distance. There is no humidistat, but this unit comes with a separate hygrometer, so you can keep an eye on the humidity level and turn off the humidifier if it gets too high.
Overall, this is a very good humidifier for the price. If you just want something low-end, then go for this one.
What We Like:
- Inexpensive
- Easy to clean
What We Don’t Like:
- Basic features
Humidifier Buyer’s Guide
Type of humidifier
A humidifier is necessary when the air in your home is too dry from heating, air conditioning, or the weather. They prevent your skin from becoming dry and can help with breathing problems. There are two main types; cool mist and warm mist.
Cool mist humidifiers come in two types. The first type are evaporative humidifiers. These use a fan to blow air over a wick, and the air cools as it picks up moisture.
The second type is an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier, which has a vibrating diaphragm that causes mist to be produced. Ultrasonic humidifiers don’t have a fan so they are much quieter than evaporative humidifiers.
Warm mist humidifiers use a heated element to boil the water, thus creating mist. These use more energy than cool mist humidifiers and are generally better during winter when you might appreciate a warm mist in the room.
Room size
Think about the size of the room where you are going to put the humidifier. It may be tempting to get one that is rated for a larger room than you need, but this can result in too much humidity which can cause mould and bacteria to grow.
Choose a model that is just right for your home. Typically the humidity should be between 30 and 50 percent. In winter it should range between 30 and 40 percent.
RELATED: The Best Air Purifiers in Australia
Humidistat
A humidistat cuts off the humidifier when the room reaches a certain level of humidity. Not all humidifiers have them, but they are very convenient.
If your humidifier doesn’t have a humidistat, you can monitor the room’s humidity with a hygrometer.
Cleaning
Most humidifiers need to have the water tank drained and rinsed daily. Some models are more difficult to clean than others, so try to get one that is easy to clean.
If you are going to do it every day, it should be as convenient as possible.
Humidifier FAQs
To start using your humidifier, remove the tank and clean it out with soap to remove any residue from manufacturing. Then fill the tank with distilled water. Some units allow you to use tap water, but this may contain other elements or be classified as hard water so distilled water is best.
Position the humidifier away from walls and anything that could become wet. Some units allow you to add essential oils for fragrance, so add those now. Then, adjust the settings and power it up.
Make sure to clean the humidifier regularly between uses to prevent bacteria from growing in the tank.
Cool mist air humidifiers are better if you have a cold. The mist can help to shrink any swelling in your nasal passages.
Warm mist humidifiers tend to be cheaper, but they can cause your nasal passage to swell, so they can make cold symptoms worse.
